By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The corruption case of former Department of Health communications director Popo Maja has been postponed until 13 February 2024 in order for a trial date to be set.
Maja, 63, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
He is charged with two counts of corruption for his alleged role in awarding a contract worth more than R140 million to a company called Digital Vibes for the provision of communication services related to the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme.
“During his court appearance and through his attorney, he asked for a bail condition where he is supposed to report to the investigating officer every time he leaves Gauteng province to be relaxed,” said NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
“The application was granted by the court however, all other conditions are still applicable.”
He is accused of receiving gratification of R15 000 from Digital Vibes after it was awarded the R140 million tender.
In 2019, Maja was appointed as a member of the Bid Specification and Bid Evaluation Committee which was tasked to appoint a service provider to provide communication services in relation to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.
It recommended that Digital Vibes be awarded the R140-million contract.
Mahanjana said, [On] the same day the committee sat, R10 000 was paid into Maja’s personal bank account from the Digital Vibes bank account.
“A month later, on 5 December 2019, an amount of R5 000 was paid again to his personal account by Digital Vibes,” Mahanjana added.
The Digital Vibes scandal led to the resignation of former health minister Zweli Mkhize, after claims that he was linked to the company’s owners, Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha.